In total energy production was 9.5% per cent higher than in 2014, the first since 1999.

Renewable Energy Association (REA) claims the UK is not likely to reach its 2020 green target of 30% as it believes it will miss the decarbonisation targets for the heat and transport sectors.

It suggests the electricity sector will have to go even further to meet the overall binding target.

James Court, Head of Policy and External Affairs at the REA said: “On the face of it, it appears that the government will meet its renewable electricity target of 30% by 2020. In reality, due to the significant failure to increase the rate of renewables in the heating and transport sectors, the REA projects that we will clearly miss our overall renewable energy target.

“We would have to meet the target of 44% to 45% renewable electricity by 2020 to achieve our legal targets. There is a desperate need for policy certainty and a clear electricity plan that doesn’t gamble everything on new nuclear, in addition to urgent action for renewable heat and transport.”